Proficiency Testing

A laboratory’s participation in proficiency testing (PT) activities is a requirement of the ISO/IEC 17025:2005 standard. The purpose of this requirement is to provide interested parties with objective evidence of a laboratory’s capability to produce data that is both accurate and repeatable for the activities listed in its scope of accreditation. Favorable proficiency testing data can be used to demonstrate a laboratory’s competence to clients, potential customers, accreditation bodies and other external entities. Participation in proficiency testing activities also provides invaluable feedback in the internal monitoring of a laboratory’s quality system. Through these activities, a laboratory can verify its competence to perform specific calibrations or tests.